Earth Day Take Off!

After months of "Trapped in Tucson", I have finally left, slowly meandering my way to Alaska! OMG! First, I had to develop personal guidelines:

1.) STOP WORRYING!!! I have a genetic mutation that causes me to worry. Finding this out was very validating after years of questioning Am I just a weirdo? It also made me realize I worry incessantly and unnecessarily more than most people so STOP! Immediately I started worrying about mechanical breakdowns, then I started hearing imaginary noises from the engine. Maybe, but how many times have I taken a vehicle into the shop because of "some noise" and the mechanic after hours confesses, "I'm sorry, I can't hear this noise and if I can't hear it I can't determine what is causing it." UGH! Then I started worrying about tarantulas, snakes, weather, supplies...JUST STOP!

2.) DRIVE SAFELY. Do not use my phone when driving. Do not eat while driving. Do not try to read a map while driving. Do not write notes while driving. Don't take photos while driving. No changing CDs while driving. No reading maps while driving. This is actually really hard as I am a multitasker, but if I don't start being present, it's not going to end up well.

3.) PRETEND YOU ARE ON VACATION. Enjoy myself. Take it easy. Sleep in. Stop to see sights on the spur of the moment. Relax. And most important: HAVE FUN! This is a once in a lifetime experience. Well, until I do it again next year! HAVE FUN!!!!

So from Tucson, Arizona, I headed north on Hwy 77, then 79, then detoured to 60 where I found the road closed (!), on to the alternate route 177 to Globe, then 188, and 87 where I found the Barnhard Disperse Campground just sound of Rye where I did some cow camping!

Yee Ha! Get along little doggie!

Love these cacti! This was a morning view so the blossoms weren't as fully opened and spectacular as they were the night before.

Before arriving at my campsite for the night, I took in some sights:

Teddy Roosevelt Lake - beautiful! I'd love to live here!

The Tonto National Monument was on the way so I impetuously visited and hiked to the cliff dwellings. The path was only a half a mile but straight up and in the afternoon sun a bit challenging. BUT it was all paved! Normally at these sites one would find make-shift stone steps which are hard on old knees.

See Big Blue resting in the parking lot. She has it easy!!